Dera Ghazi Khan Zoo: A picture of neglect

Established in 2000, the facility is suffering due to the negligence of the authorities concerned

DERA GHAZI KHAN: The Punjab government has failed to maintain Dera Ghazi Khan’s only zoo which was maintained on a regular basis.

It was learned that due to the negligence and apathy of the district administration and authorities concerned a number of animals, including a lioness, two cubs, two blue bulls and houbara bustard had died. Many rare animals are also suffering from different diseases.

Due to the poor administration, waterproof fountain lights and electric motors have been stolen while a swimming pool for children has closed down as the slides are damaged. Moreover, animal cages have also been torn down.

The number of animals in the zoo located at the divisional headquarters is decreasing with each passing day. Most often, the railings and barricades of animal cages are broken, while the dirty and pungent pond for aquatic birds speaks volumes about the failure and inefficiency of the zoo’s administration.

It was also learned that fish from the lake are sold in connivance with the zoo staff. These developments clearly indicate that security arrangements at the zoo are insufficient as there are no CCTV cameras to detect a mishap.

The recreational spot was established 18 years ago during the reign of former Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and was called a wildlife park, but after eight years it was upgraded to a zoo.



In the beginning, sanitation, cleaning, and renovation was carried out regularly. Swings, fountain lights, and a children's pool made DG Khan's only zoo a centre of attraction for children.

Later, due to the negligence of the local elected representatives, nothing eye-catching or valuable is present at the zoo. Moreover, due to the unavailability of funds, vendors have not been paid for providing food for the animals living in the zoo. The contractor has also given a notice to the management for failing to pay Rs4.5 million and has stopped the food supply.

Moreover, an aquarium and a snake house were set up a few years ago but they are still non-functional.

Punjab Wildlife Department Director General Lieutenant (retd) Sohail Ashraf visited the zoo last week and directed the administration to transfer the tigers, zebras, and other rare animals. A lioness has already been shifted to the zoo from Lahore. A special grant has also been issued for immediately repairing broken walls and cages. Some repair work has been initiated, he said. “We aim to make DG Khan zoo a better recreational spot for the locals. Work has begun on the directives of the chief minister of Punjab, while instructions have been issued to construct a zoo in Taunsa on a priority basis.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15^th, 2019.